Method of producing fasteners from metallic ribbon



Nov, 17, 1936. J. 55. MCCHESNEVY 2,061,036

METHOD OF PRODUCING FASTENERS FROM METALLIC RIBBON Filed July 22, 1953 u E95 01 imumuunm Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES METHOD F PRODUCING FASTENERS FROM METALLIC RIBBON John McChesney executrix of said Sherman McChesney, Chicago, 111.; Lula A.

John Sherman McChesney, deceased, assignor to Lula A. Mc-

Chesney, individually Application July 22, 1933, Serial N0.-681,688

23 Claims.

The invention relates to metallic fasteners and method of producing same, and more particularly to a circular or ring-like form of fastener adapted to be driven into adjoining pieces of material for holding them together.

The chief objects of the invention are the provision of such finished fasteners which are speedily and completely made from ribbon material without the loss of metal. resulting in efficient and economic production and providing a finished swage-har'dened cutting-edge on each of the fasteners.

Another object is the provision of a fastener of a circular or ring-like form made of one piece of material provided with a sharp penetrating end and a flat driving end, the terminal ends of which may be permanently joined or engagingly interlocked to form a fastener having an annular continuous penetrating end.

A further object is the provision of means for progressively swaging a metal ribbon into strips longitudinally of its length and simultaneously forming on one edge of each strip a finished hardened sharp-cutting edge, and severing and forming given lengths of one of the strips into finished fasteners, and coiling the remainder of the strips to be thereafter formed into finished fasteners.

In the accompanying drawing embodying my invention, I show diagrammatically the means for producing and forming the fasteners, without showing the means for driving the same, as it will be understood that any form of drive connecting the operative elements may be employed.

Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view of a machine for making fasteners embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is view similar to Fig. 2 showing only a portion of the machine without the corrugating rolls.

Fig. 4 is a face view of a portion of one of the strips having a straight transverse scoring.

Fig. 5 is a face view of a portion of one of the strips having interlocking transverse scoring.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the finished fasteners, the ends of the strip of material of which the fastener is formed being lap-welded.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a fastener, the ends of the strip of material of which it is formed being connected by a dove-tail joint.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a corrugated fastener.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an uncorrugated type of fastener.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the cutting-edge of the fasteners.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specifications and drawing.

In carrying the invention into effect, 1 start 5 with a coil of metal ribbon A mounted on a power driven drum F. The ribbon is adapted to the manufacture of metallic fasteners and is of a temper, gauge and width to be swage-severed longitudinally of its length into strips B and 0, thus 10 forming a continuous beveled hardened sharpened finished cutting-edge on each of the strips.

The ribbon A is positioned between a series of rollers 38-48 to guide the ribbon with respect to a series of similarly paired co-acting swaging rolls l l-| I which may be of any suitable shape at the periphery contacting the ribbon, depending upon the desired formation of the cuttingedge of the strips B and C and for locating the ribbon in operative position with other elements and supply rolls F and D. As the ribbon is caused to move by reason of the driven swaging rolls ll-H it is advanced between a pair of plain cylindrical driven rollers l2-l2 which advance the ribbon to a second pair of driven swaging rolls I3-i3a. These swaging rolls lib-I3 are provided with a similar formation to register into the partially formed formations made by the swaging rolls ll-l I and to further swage and to sever the stock into strips B and C. The strips B and C then advance between the driven plain rolls l4--H which in turn advance the strips between a pair of scoring and perforating rolls l5 and [6 operating in timed relation. The roll I5 is provided with transverse removable scoring elements l1 extending outwardly on the periphery thereof to impress their reverse formations producing a series of straight scores ll as in Fig. 4 or interlocking scores I'I as in Fig. 5 in the strips at given intervals depending upon the diameter of the roll. Perforating pins l8-i8 are removably fixed to and project outwardly on the roll If, for perforating the strips. Both the scores and the pins or either of them may be omitted when desired. If desired either or all of the elements comprising the scoring element Ill and the perforating elements l8 may be omitted from the roll l5 and the strip will then move forward in the direction of its length to be wound as flat swaged strips directly on the power driven drum D of Fig. 3. At this point either or both of the strips B and C may be advanced from the rolls l5-I6 and separated by the pin 20 and advanced within the powered mated corrugating rolls 2I-2l and accumulated in stock coil form on the powered coil D. Roll I6 is preferably hollow and is provided with peripheral recesses I9--l9 that register with the pins 18 as the rolls l and I6 are rotated, and the slugs punched out of the strips are discharged through the open ends of theroll. As the strips Band C advance from the rolls l5 and 16, they are separated by means of the pin 20 and are gripped between the mated paired corrugating rolls 2|-2l. These rolls may be of any suitable form and adapted to produce a variety of types of corrugations. The two outstanding types are the divergent and parallel. In both types the ridges are mated so that their corrugations will register. In the divergent type the corrugated periphery of each mated roll comprises a plurality of sets or series of ridges and accompanying depressions angularly disposed with reference to the axis of the roll but longitudinally plane-parallel therewith, the set or series extending alternately on opposite angles so as to produce a tapered web intermediate the parallel and divergently disposed corrugations in the metal of the fastener. In the parallel type the corrugations are parallel with the axis of the roll, thereby to impart parallel corrugations in the metal of the fastener at right angles to the longitudinal side edges thereof. These rolls bend and rebend the strips and one of said strips passes over a relatively small idler roll 22 and is caused to make a rather sharp bend as it is deflected around the drum 23 thereby detaching va length E of the strip at the scoring. The dulling or notching of the scores l1, due to use, may produce a fin at the scoring sufficiently heavy to hold the scored sections together while passing thru the corrugating roll. The slightly attached lengths upon entering the roller 2| are caused to bend at the scores resulting in the separation of the lengths.

From the corrugating rolls 2| 2l the strip C is coiled in a continuous length at the powered drum D adapted to accumulate a stock coil, to be thereafter severed and formed into fasteners.

Obviously either or both of the strips B and C may be accumulated in coil form at D, or either or both strips may be accumulated in straight lengths suitable for handling, thereafter to be processed to complete the finished fasteners. The accumulated swage-beveled and sharpened strips either in the coil or straight length form are adapted to be transported and subsequently to be fed into fastener severing and driving machines or into strip severing, forming and welding machines, or into strip severing machines thereby to complete the finished fastener.

At spaced intervals the ribbon A is gaugeguided by means of rollers 38 engaging the side edges thereof and which are adapted to be adjusted to compensate for various widths of ribbon stock and also to properly position the ribbon with respect to the swaging rolls.

As thus far described, the ribbon A moves from a source of supply and is gripped and caused to advance between gauged guides thru the ma-' chine at a given rate of speed by means of the swaging rolls operating in timed relation with each other and with the plain rollers, scoring and corrugating rolls which are driven by means of gears, belts or other suitable means not shown.

The drum 23 is also driven and at a slightly greater rate of speed to permit of the forming of the severed length E of the strip without interfering with the continuous movement of the ribbon.

The drum 23 is supported at one end only and is relatively long, so that several lengths may be formed and their terminal ends jcined during the time they are being fed longitudinally of the drum and discharged at the unsupported end thereof. To guide the severed length E around the drum 23 I provide idler rollers 24, 25 and 26 which contact the outer surface of the severed length E, and due to the rotation of the drum 23 the severed length E will be formed circularly or ring-like. As the severed portion E of the strip advances around the drum 23 it threads itself between the spiral flanges 21' of an idler roller 21 causing it to rotate and feed the portion E longitudinally ofthe drum 23 until one of the terminal ends thereof engages a guide 28 which will stop the rotating movement of the portion E and align the terminal ends with a reciprocating welding roller 29 under which it is caused to pass. The roller 29 may serve as a means for rolling down the terminal ends of portion E when the current is severed.

As the machine continues in operation and several severed lengths E of the strip B are rotated to be formed and to be fed longitudinally on the drum 23 beyond the spiral flanges 21, each succeeding end E will force the one ahead under the roller 29 which has an electrical conductor 30 connected thereto and to a source of electrical supply. Another electrical conductor 3! is also connected to the source of supply and to a wiper contact 32 engaging a ring 33 fixed to the shaft 34 of the drum 23 completing the circuit between the roller 29 and the drum 23 as the ends of each length E are forced under the roller 29 thereby welding the terminal ends together.

In Fig. 3 the rollers 2| have been substituted for the corrugating rolls 2| to produce an uncorrugated fastener 35 in the same manner as above described. This type of fastener is shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 9 with a lap-weld 35* connecting the terminal ends and a dove-tail and tongue 35 in Fig. 7. With the dove-tail connection, it is not essential that the terminal ends be welded, as it is only necessary that the ends be connected for drawing together the pieces to be joined and to prevent the fastener from spread- Either of the strips 13 and C, or both of said strips may have either or both the scores I'l and the perforations 36 or the scores I'I and the perforations 36 included or omitted as desired, and the strips advanced to be treated by the corrugating rolls 2I2l to impart a parallel or a divergent form of corrugation traverse the serrations and thereafter either or both strips B and C may be accumulated in stock coil form as shown at D Fig. 2; or either or both of the flat strips B and C may be accumulated in stock coil form as shown at D in Fig. 3.

The perforations 36 in the fasteners 35 and 31, either the plain or corrugated type, are for withdrawing the fasteners from the material when they are being used for temporarily holding the material together, as for instance, when used by pattern makers, etc.

The finished fastener has a sharp swaged penetrating end (see Fig. adapted to easily cut its way into the material. As shown, I provide a single bevel which is produced with the use of only one swaging roll either above or below the ribbon A at l I and I3. A pair of opposed co-act: ing serrated swaging rolls may be used when a double beveled cutting-edge is desired. With a single serrated swaging roll opposed to a plain cylindrical roll, a bevel is formed having a cutting edge aligned with one surface of the metal. Fasteners may be produced with the bevel on the out-side or on the inner side by inverting the swaging rolls.

I contemplate as being included in these improvements allsuch changes, variations and departures from what is thus specifically illustrated and described as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of producing a metallic fastener which comprises swaging a metallic ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips and simultaneously forming a sharp-cutting hardened serrated edge on each of the strips, scoring and perforating the strips at given intervals of their length, separating the strips one from the other, corrugating the strips at an angle to the cutting edge, progressively severing the strips at the scorings and forming each length of strip into an annular shape, and connecting the terminal ends of each length.

2. The method of producing a metallic fastener which comprises swaging a metallic ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips and simultaneously forming a sharp-cutting hardened serrated edge on each of the strips, scoring the strips at given intervals of their length, separating the strips one from the other, severing the strip at the scorings and forming each severed length into an annular shape providing a continuous cutting edge thereon.

3. The method of producing a fastener from a flat metal ribbon which comprises swaging a ribbon into strips thereby simultaneously forming a sharp-cutting beveled serrated penetrating edge on each of the strips, then scoring strips at intervals and severing the strips at the scoring, then curving each severed length of strip into an annular shape, thereby forming each severed length of strip into a finished fastener.

4. An improved method of producing a fastener from metal ribbon, comprising swaging the ribbon into strips, thereby simultaneously forming a serrated sharp-cutting swage hardened edge on each of the strips, scoring each strip at intervals and severing the strips at the scored portions, then forming each severed serrated strip section into a fastener having a continuous circular cutting-edge.

5. The method of producing fasteners from metallic ribbon, the steps thereof which comprise progressively swaging the ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips and thereby forming a sharpened hardened serrated cutting-edge on each of the strips, then scoring the strips at given intervals of their length, corrugating the strips transverse the cutting-edge, then severing the strips at the scored portions, then forming the severed lengths into rings, then connecting the terminal ends of the rings, thereby producing an annular serrated sharpened penetrating edge.

6. The method of forming fasteners of metallic ribbon which comprises the steps of progressively swaging a metal ribbon into strips and simultaneously forming a sharpened hardened serrated cutting-edge severing the strips into lengths having interlocking terminal ends, subsequently interlocking the terminal ends of each length, thereby forming a continuous sharpened hardened serrated penetrating edged fastener.

'7. The method of forming fasteners of metallic ribbon comprising swaging the ribbon into longitudinal strips and thereby forming a sharpened swage hardened cutting-edge on each of the strips thruout their length, compressibly rolling the side surfaces of each strip to force the bead formed by theswaging back into the strip, scoring the strips at given intervals of their length, then corrugating the strips by bending and rebending them transverse their length, and severing the strips at the scored portions to form the lengths to complete the fastener.

8. The method of forming fasteners of a rin like type from a metal ribbon which comprises first forming a sharp-cutting hardened serrated edge by swaging a ribbon longitudinally of its length into serrated edged strips, then severing a suitable length from the strip, subsequently joining the terminal ends of the length forming a ring-like fastener.

9. The method of producing fasteners from metall c ribbon which comprises advancing a flat ribbon from a source of ribbon supply in guided swaging relation with coacting beveling and severing swagers, thereby severing the ribbon into serrated-edged strips, subsequently severing the strips crosswise into lengths and joining the ends of the severed lengths.

10. The method of producing fasteners from metallic ribbon which comprises swaging serrating and severing metallic ribbon in the direction of its length into serrated-edged strips, then severing each strip transversely forming separate fastener lengths having interlocking ends, subsequently interlocking the ends.

11. The process of making fasteners which comprises longitudinally swage-beveling swagehardening and swage-severing a metallic ribbon into sharpened-edged flat strips having a beveled surface intersecting the plane of a longitudinal face forming a cutting edge unitary with one edge of the strip, then severing each strip transversely forming separate fastener lengths, subsequently joining the ends of the lengths.

12. The process of making fasteners which comprises longitudinally swage-beveling swagehardening and swage-severing a metallic ribbon into sharpened-edged fiat strips having a beveled surface intersecting the plane of a longitudinal face forming a cutting edge unitary with one edge of the strip, then corrugating the strips transversely of the cutting edge, then detaching suitable lengths from said strips, subsequently joining the ends of the lengths.

13. The process of making fasteners which comprises longitudinally swage-beveling swagehardening and swage-severing a metallic ribbon into serrated-edged strips, then severing transversely to form separate fastener strips, subsequently joining the severed ends.

14. The process of making fasteners which comprises longitudinally swage-beveling swagehardening and swage-severing a metallic ribbon into serrated-edged strips, then corrugating the strips, then severing transversely to form separate fastener strips, subsequently joining the severed ends to form a continuous serrated-edged band.

15. The process of making fasteners which comprises longitudinally swage-severing a metallic ribbon on beveled lines into serrated-edged strips, then perforating the strips intermediate the longitudinal side edges, then severing transversely to form separate fastener strips, subsequently joining the severed ends.

16. The herein described process of making fasteners which comprises the steps of simultaneously swage-beveling swage-hardening swagesharpening and swage-severlng a metallic ribbon scoring transversely, then severing at the scored portion, then curving the severed strips into ringlike form, then joining the severed ends of the strip by Welding,

17. The method of forming fasteners which comprises swage-severing a metallic ribbon by successively passing the ribbon in the direction of its length into swaging relation with cooperating swagers, thereby severing the ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips, each strip having on one edge thereof a beveled swage-hardened cutting edge integral with one longitudinal side edge of each strip.

18. The method of forming fasteners which comprises swage-severing a metallic ribbon by successively passing the ribbon in the direction of its length into swaging relation with swaging rolls, thereby severing the ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips each strip having on one edge thereof a beveled swage-hardened cutting edge integral with one longitudinal side edge of each strip; subsequently bending and rebending the strip transversely of the cutting edge forming corrugations having curved beveled surfaces intersecting and forming an undulating cutting edge unitary with one longitudinal side edge of the strip.

19. The method of forming fasteners which comprises swage-severing a metallic ribbon by successively passing the ribbon in the direction of its length into swaging relation with swaging rolls, thereby severing the ribbon longitudinally of its length into strips each strip having on one edge thereof a beveled swage-hardened cutting edge integral with one longitudinal side edge of each strip; subsequently bending and rebending the strip transversely of the cutting edge forming corrugations having curved beveled surfaces intersecting and forming an undulated cutting edge unitary with one longitudinal side edge of the strip and then detaching a suitable length from the strip.

20. The process of making fasteners which comprises swaging metallic ribbon thereby forming toothed edged strips and simultaneously producing a bevelled surface in combination with a cutting edge on the penetrating end of each strip, then detaching suitable lengths from each strip and finally bending each detached strip to position the ends in overlapping relation.

21. The process of making fasteners which comprises swaging metallic ribbon thereby forming toothed edged strips and simultaneously producing a bevelled surface in combination with a cutting edge on the penetrating end of each strip, then bending each detached strip to position the ends in overlapping relation and finally joining the overlapped ends one to the other.

22. The process of making fasteners which comprises swaging metallic ribbon thereby forming toothed edged strips and simultaneously producing a bevelled surface in combination with a cutting edge on the penetrating end of each strip, then accumulating the strip in coil form and subsequently severing suitable lengths 'from the coiled strip.

23. The process of making fasteners which comprises swaging metallic ribbon thereby toothed edged strips and simultaneously producing a bevelled surface in combination with a cutting edge on the penetrating end of each strip, then bending and rebending the strip forming corrugations, then accumulating the corrugated strip in coil form and subsequently severing suitable lengths from the coiled strip.

JOHN SHERMAN MCCHESNEY. 

